Word In Song Conference Houston TX

What does the Bible tell us about our worship and singing? And how do we best lead our churches in singing the praise of Jesus? Join us for a one-day music ministry conference - a chance to be encouraged and refreshed, to hear from the Bible, and to grow in practical skills for music ministry in your church.

Led by Philip Percival, Alanna Glover and Liv Chapman, we'll be running a range of practical workshops to help you in every aspect of your church's music ministry, whatever your size or musical tradition.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Friday 27th March, 7:30pm
A Night In With Emu Concert (Admission free)

Saturday 28th March
8:00am
Breakfast
8:45am
Session 1 – Singing & Bible Talk
10:00am
Session 2 - Church Music Masterclass
11:15am
Seminar Breakouts
Song leading
Leading from piano
Leading from guitar
12:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm
Seminar Breakouts
What songs should we sing?
Leading a music team
Music for small churches
3:00pm
Finish

SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS

Church Music Masterclass: In this session we aim to cover everything you’ll ever need to know about leading excellent singing in your church - whatever your church size or preferred style of music! We’ll look at how (as a music team) we give priority to the congregation’s voice, and how we can use any instrument and vocal combination to provide a creative and confident lead for the singing in your church. Helpful for everyone - musicians, vocalists, worship leaders, sound team, pastors.

Song Leading: In many ways the song leader is the single most important person in leading great congregational singing. We will look at the biblical basis for having a song leader, but will aim to spend most of our time on the practicalities of how to lead singing well - including mic technique, what to say, how to teach new material etc., as well offering some constructive criticism to those who are happy to stand up and have a go! Helpful for singers, worship leaders, pastors.

What Songs Should We Sing?: Choosing songs thoughtfully and intentionally is key to an effective word-based music ministry. However, there is so much to consider when creating services week in and week out - and it can be hard to keep our focus on what is important! In this workshop we’ll think about how to create a well-rounded repertoire of songs for our church and talk through all the factors we need to consider when choosing from this list each week. We’ll also consider how style, instrumentation, lyrical content and liturgy affect our song choices. Helpful for pastors, singers, worship leaders, songwriters.

Leading from Piano: For many churches the piano is the key instrument in leading congregational singing. But often we lack the skills to turn years of lessons and exams into playing in a helpful style for church leading. We'll look at contemporary keyboard techniques and discuss how and when to leave the score behind! We'll also discuss the differences between playing on your own and in a band. Helpful for pianists and worship leaders.

Leading from Guitar: This session will look at how the guitar can be used most effectively in facilitating congregational singing, as part of a band but also on your own. We will look closely at use of capos, strumming rhythms, and how to play hymns on a guitar. Helpful for guitarists and song leaders.

Leading a music team: Effective music ministry can’t happen without someone in charge. But many of us land in the job of music director with little experience or knowing how to take the ministry forward. This session will look at the role of the music director, how to shape a team culture, how to shape a culture of singing in the church, how to partner with the pastor, as well thinking about your own personal holiness and development. Helpful for worship leaders, administrators, music team leaders, and those aspiring to these roles!

ABOUT US

Emu Music is a ministry focused on contemporary, Biblical, Christ-centred music in church. Founded in Sydney, Australia, and now operating throughout the world, our aim is to equip churches with fresh new songs of the Word and to train leaders and musicians in what it means to practically run a Biblical music ministry. We are behind the Word In Song conferences in Australia, the UK and Asia. Our aim is to provide excellent resources - recordings, sheet music and more - to equip your church to sing the truth with passion.

Philip Percival
Philip is Music Director at St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, UK and also has many years experience leading music teams in smaller churches and church plants. Trained in piano, organ and brass, and formerly a High School music teacher, Philip now loves helping Church musicians grow in their gifts to serve their church, and teaches the Bible and practical skills at conferences and seminars around the world. He lectures in music ministry at Moore College, Sydney and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is the author of Then Sings My Soul, a book about Biblical music ministry for every Christian. Philip studied music at Sydney University, theology at Moore Theological College, has a Masters degree from Oxford University and is currently studying for a PhD in the biblical theology of worship.

Alanna Glover
Alanna is a gifted singer, songwriter and teacher, and is worship leader at the annual Keswick Convention in the UK. Previously a church music director in Sydney and member of the band Garage Hymnal, she now lives in Oxford where she splits her time between working for Emu, leading music at church and being a mum. She has a Bachelor of Theology from Sydney Missionary Bible College and a Music Degree from Sydney University. Alanna has developed Emu's Word In Song online training course, and lectures in music ministry at Moore College, Sydney and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

Liv Chapman
Liv has been writing and leading congregational worship for many years as a singer and guitarist, and is currently part of the ministry team at St Ebbe's, Oxford. Regularly involved with album production, she has a special interest in developing new music and resources for youth and children. She studied English and Ancient History at Sydney University and is currently studying Biblical theology part-time at Moore College.